Governor Tim Walz is calling on state Senate Republicans to have hearings on anti-gun-violence legislation, saying “absolutely” he’d call a special session if there was an agreement to get something done. Walz points out President Trump today voiced support for a “red flag” law to keep guns out of the hands of those with mental illness. He says, “Both from a practical and a political standpoint, President Trump’s with you on this. So come back, get it done. It certainly can’t hurt you electorally, if that’s the worry, which I hope would not be.”
Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says the state can continue to focus on mental health issues but universal background checks “have not proven to eliminate deranged murderers from killing innocent people.”